Economy

July 28, 2006 - Until 2004, North Carolina was considered a fairly stingy state when it came to "development subsidies" -- the over $50 billion a year in tax breaks and other give-aways that states and localities pay to attract business.

July 20, 2006 - Real estate investors looking to cash in on foreclosures note rising foreclosure rates around the South:

July 20, 2006 - At the request of Gov. Kathleen Blanco, the Louisiana Civil Service Commission has raised the minimum wage for all state workers to $6.15 per hour, one dollar more than the federal minimum wage. The new minimum wage will go into effect in August.

July 19, 2006 - Ralph Reed, the former darling of the Christian right movement, conceded defeat in his bid for the Republican nomination for Lt. Governor of Georgia at 10 pm last night.

July 17, 2006 - I'm back from a mostly-restful vacation. Many thanks to R. Neal for covering last week, including his excellent exclusive interview with former N.C. Sen. John Edwards about fighting poverty in America.

July 12, 2006 - In late 2001, Jordan Green of the Institute for Southern Studies broke the story about Halliburton (link is to Feb.

July 6, 2006 - According to this report, the State of Louisiana has experienced an unexpected increase in state and local tax revenues: